They looked each other in the eyes. Time seemed to stand still. Despite it being one year since they last met it was as if no time had passed. If it had not been for Alice laying in her stroller next to her Valkyrie could almost imagine that she and Skulduggery had decided for a secret meeting the day after their first nightly acquaintance.

"Skulduggery." Just that one word got her whole body shiver of delight.

Skulduggery did not answer. Instead he laid his arms around her in an embrace that was so hard that she was afraid not being able to breath. She felt how her arms laid around him and how she hugged him back equally as hard. She laid her head against his shoulder and pulled in his scent. It made her remember their only night together and that memory in turn got her gender to tingle.

"It's nice to see you again. Where have you been?" Valkyrie glanced up at him and found herself stare straight into his blue eyes. Oh, she could be able to stare into those eyes forever!

"I hope you got my letter?" When Valkyrie nodded Skulduggery continued. "As you know I got assigned an undercover mission by my boss. I can of course not tell you any details, but what I can tell you is that I under a year have been a double agent. We have under a long time tried to bust an organization that's calling itself 'The Children of the Spider' since it's them that controlls the crime in Roarhaven."

"Those I've heard about. Isn't it them that always walks around in dark clothes with hoods or veils to hide their identities?"

Skulduggery nodded. "Exactly. Anyway, I infiltrated their headquarters by pretending to become one of them. Since The Children of the Spider is very suspecting and timid it took several months for me to earn so much trust that they agreed to let me become one of them. Then it took me yet another few months to obtain the information I needed. Believe me when I say that it was not easy and that I was close to exposing myself more than once."

"That's not that hard to imagine. With your appearance and personality it must have been tough to only dress in one-coloured garments and where you on top of it all could not show your beautiful face." Valkyrie smiled sly against Skulduggery and stroked her hand against his cheek.

Skulduggery shivered from her touch. "If you only knew... Do you know what the worst was? To not be able to drive my lovely car. Apparently The Children of the Spider knew which car I was driving around in so I had to get myself another more 'normal' car."

Valkyrie laughed at Skulduggery's comment. "Something tells me that you take care of that car as much as your ego. I may only have spoken to you twice, but considering everything Gordon told me about you it feels as if I have not done anything else but talk to you."

Skulduggery smiled and took her hand. "Enough talking about me, even if I shall confess I love hearing myself talking. How are you doing, Valkyrie?"

"I'm good. Have been busy with work and trying to patch together my relationship with Fletcher. I've also..." Valkyrie got interrupted by Alice that had started to cry in her stroller. Valkyrie lifted her up and cradled her slowly while she whispered comforting things in her ear. When Alice had calmed down Valkyrie once again turned to Skulduggery. "I've also been busy with this litte girl."

Skulduggery could not tear his gaze from Alice. In the same moment that their eyes met he knew. Valkyrie could see it in his eyes. Many feelings went through Skulduggery at the same time. Surprise, insight, happiness, sadness and anger. He turned towards her and Valkyrie took a steadier grip on Alice when she saw the anger that mixed with a great sadness. "Valkyrie, the letter you sent me... Is it true? Is Alice... mine?"

Valkyrie nodded. "Yes. You are Alice's real father. I... could not keep it a secret. I understood that you would figure it out either by hearing about her from others or if you would bump into us, like now. I do not know how many times I got to hear at the hospital from both Tanith and Ghastly how alike Alice is you when Fletcher wasn't around and could hear anything.

You have to understand, Skulduggery. I was serious when I wrote that I wanted to give mine and Fletcher's relationship a chance. When I then found out I was pregnant a few weeks later... I did not know what to believe. I did not know then that she was yours, as she could as well be Fletcher's since we had sex the morning after our night together. I did not want to give you any false expectations.

Then when I got to see Alice for the first time there on the screen at the midwife... Then I understood that she was yours, even if I could not see her eyes. I just knew, how I can not answer. Directly after the visit at the midwife I contacted Ghastly and asked him to send the letter you got to you. Since I did not get any answer from you I assumed that you did not want anything with us to do. I figured that if you now so happily would like to be a part of your daughter's life you would have seeked me up as soon as the letter arrived."

"Of course I want to be a part in my daughter's life! Oh my god, if you only knew what kind of thoughts that spun around in my head in the same moment that I saw the picture of her!" Skulduggery threw out his arms in a frustrated gesture before he stroked them over his face.

Valkyrie did not answer. She could understand Skulduggery's frustration, but it did not explain why he had not contacted her. Had he not believed her? Did he think that she had fooled him? Why would he think something like that about her? Had she missunderstood him completely? She really wanted to believe that he was the same man that Gordon had described him as under all those years he had been telling about his and Skulduggery's adventures together.

"I wanted so gladly believe that it was true, that I'd got a new chance in life. That I once again would be given a chance to raise a child and see it grow up. At the same time I was scared, Valkyrie. So scared over that it would be a missunderstanding, that you were wrong and that it was Fletcher's child. Believe me when I say that if I'd been able to, I would've thrown myself in the first, best vehicle and driven straight to you. As the situation was when I got the letter I had just managed to get accepted in The Children of the Spider's gang and could not back out. I needed to get hold of the information that my boss wanted first."

I understood the truth first when Ghastly called me a few weeks ago and told me about Alice. He told me that he thought it was strange that Alice looked so much like me. It was not just because of the eyes he said, but also on her charisma and how she acted in Fletcher's presence. She did not cry or anything like that when he held her, but it was as if she got something absent in her gaze and body language, as if Fletcher was a stranger that she allowed hold and take care of her."

As if Alice understood what they were talking about she looked up at Skulduggery, smiled and stretched out her small hands against Skulduggery. Valkyrie got equally as surprised as Skulduggery over Alice's behaviour and when she looked at him she saw how shocked he was. "Can... can I hold her?"

Valkyrie took a step forward and handed over Alice to Skulduggery. In the same moment that his arms was laid around her Alice began to gargle and laugh. She looked at Skulduggery the whole time she was gurgling and Valkyrie felt how her heart swelled of love against the two persons that stood in front of her. She could not stop herself from once again thinking if everything had been different...

"Alice is a smart girl. She seems to recognize her daddy. Right, Alice? You are daddy's little girl, aren't you?" Skulduggery asked and tickled Alice's stomach with his middle finger which got Alice to laugh even more.

Tears rose in Valkyrie's eyes that she in vain tried to hold back. Skulduggery heard her sob and when he saw her tears he laid one of his arms around her in an embrace. "I understand, Valkyrie. I understand exactly."

Valkyrie leaned against Skulduggery's shoulder and let the tears flow while she observed her daughter that seemed so comfortable in Skulduggery's arms. It was as if he had never been away from her, as if it had been he that had been by her side all the time ever since she had been born three months ago and not Fletcher. Could it really be true what Skulduggery had said, that Alice knew that Fletcher was not her real father?

Alice yawned audibly and closed her eyes. Skulduggery cradled her carefully until she had fallen asleep and then laid her down in the stroller. When he had ensured that Alice lay comfortably and slept peacefully, he turned towards Valkyrie. He sat down on the bench and gestured to her to sit down next to him.

Valkyrie sat down next to Skulduggery and once again leaned against his shoulder. None of them said anything for a while, but let the sound of the waves crashing against the pier surround them. The sun was on its way down and threw an orange-red shine over the city. Valkyrie closed her eyes and thought: Here I could stay forever, in the company of the two persons I love.

Because that was precisely what she felt for Skulduggery, that she understood now after having seen him together with Alice. Even how strange it might seem she was in love with Skulduggery and she could not close her eyes to it despite how much she tried to. She also understood that it was something she'd been trying doing under the year that had gone since they last met. She had persuaded herself that she wanted to continue live with Fletcher, that it was there she should be, by his side. When she then had found out she was pregnant she had used that as an excuse for having a reason to stay with Fletcher.

But now... Now when she had met Skulduggery again after a year everything came back to her. All the feelings she had repressed. Had she not confessed to Tanith that if she had not been together with Fletcher she would've given Skulduggery a chance? Yes, she had and now when he once again was by her side... What would she do now?

As if Skulduggery had read her thoughts he looked down at her with a sadness in his eyes that got Valkyrie to lay her hand on his and squeeze it. He sighed and laid his head against hers before he said "We need to talk, Valkyrie."

"I know."

"What do you want to do? I understand if you want to continue being together with Fletcher since you've been together for so long. You know him and know where you have him. He seems to be a good lad. Gordon didn't like him, but he accepted and respected him and considered that it was up to you who you wanted to be together with. 'As long as Stephanie's happy, I'm also happy', he used to say to me."

"Honestly, Skulduggery? I do not know what I want to do. You're right when you say that I know Fletcher and know where I have him, but if I'm going to be real honest, so... I don't think there's so much more than that anymore. Lately, especially after Alice's birth, I've started to imagine a life without him and how I feel about that. I do not need to worry about money, since I inherited all of Gordon's royalties that he got from his books and his house. If I and Fletcher would part ways I have both money and somewhere to live until I can begin working again."

Skulduggery nodded. "Gordon told me that he had wrote you in his testament, but he did not want to reveal exactly what he was going to give you. I suspected that you would get his royalties and the house, since he knew that you were the only one that would take care of his house and not waste the money."

"So typical Gordon. He was always too smart for his own good."

"Is that so? In that case I would like to state that the same applies to you. As I said the first time we met, you are very much alike him in many ways. When I think back on the conversation we had a year ago I find myself in several occasions thinking that it's like I'm having Gordon next to me instead of you."

Valkyrie could not help but smile. "The same, Skulduggery. The same..."

They sat silent for another few more minutes before Valkyrie watched the clock and saw that it was late. If she did not want to worry Fletcher she must be back home within fifteen minutes. She stood up without letting go of Skulduggery's hand. He also stood up and they looked each other in the eyes. In them the both youths could see their feelings for the other.

"Skulduggery, I have to go." Valkyrie tried to release Skulduggery's hand, but he continued to hold it in his.

"Wait, Valkyrie. Before you go..." Skulduggery took up a card from his suit pocket with his free hand and gave it to her. "Since we haven't agreed on a conclusion yet, can't we met again in a few days when we both have got a chance to think about it all? My number stands on the card. Call me when you feel you need to talk."

"I will do that." Valkyrie smiled up at him and despite that she needed to hurry home she could not release the eye contact with Skulduggery.

Without them saying anything they took a step closer to each other and in the same moment that their lips met in a gentle kiss all the feelings that Valkyrie had tried to ignore flowed back and overwhelmed her. She could feel in the way that Skulduggery's lips pressed against hers that he felt the same.

They separated and both were breathing heavily. Valkyrie smiled against Skulduggery before she grabbed the strollers handle. "I'll be in touch."

"I'll be waiting." Skulduggery smiled before he turned around and walked away.

On the way home Valkyrie got time to think about everything that had happened and what had been said. To meet Skulduggery again had been bewildering, to say the least. The thoughts twirled in her head. She had been honest when she'd talked about her feelings and thoughts about how her life would be in the future.

Even she had noticed how different Alice behaved towards Fletcher in relation to herself. Fletcher had not said anything about it other than that Alice probably needed some time to get to know him, since it after all had been Valkyrie and not him that had been carrying her in her stomach. Despite this he thought the whole thing was odd, but he had not said or done anything that had made Valkyrie suspect that he did not think that Alice was not his child.

She decided to let it go some days. After all Skulduggery probably had a lot to think about as well. He had after all just found out that he had become father to a child he had not known if it was his or not until just recently.


Four days passed. Four long, anxious, shillyshally, wondering and hopeful days that Valkyrie filled with thoughts and scenarios. She had already under the second day come to insight of that she would no longer be able to continue living together with Fletcher. The insight had hurt her but also given her a sense of relief over being able to make a decision. The thing she still was unsure of was whether or not she should give Skulduggery a chance or if she should move home to Gordon's house and raise Alice as a single mother.

On the fifth days morning she and Alice waved goodbye to Fletcher when he drove off to work. In the same moment that his car disappeared from sight Valkyrie picked up her phone and dialed the number that she could by heart at this point. She did not know how many times she had stroked with her fingers over the card under the more than 100 hours that had passed since she recieved it.

In the same moment that his voice filled her ear she shivered of delight. His voice was so pleasant, so soft... It was what she had missed the most. "Valkyrie. Finally I'll hear from you. How are you?"

"Skulduggery, you have no idea how much I have wanted to do this. I can not stop thinking about you. We need to meet and agree on a solution. Can I and Alice come over for a little visit?"

"I'm home, it's just to swing by. I'll be waiting."

Valkyrie hung up and turned toward Alice. "Now you understand, sweetheart, we're going on a little car trip to visit your father. You'll like that, won't you?"

Valkyrie strapped Alice to her car seat and then drove to Cemetery Road. The Bentley stood parked on its usual place and she parked her own car behind it. In the same moment that she turned off the engine the front door opened and Skulduggery came out to greet them.

When he was just a few meters from her she ran forward and met him. He stretched out his arms against her and she threw herself in his fathom. So they stood for a while. Just took in each others vicinity and the feeling of security it gave. Valkyrie reluctantly released Skulduggery when she heard Alice whine in the car and turned around to fetch her when Skulduggery laid his hand on her shoulder.

"I'll fetch her. You can go inside and make a cup of tea so long. I promise I will be careful. I have after all been a father once before and I never dropped my first child. Or well, it was that one time when I turned my attention towards something else when I was going to change diaper and the child in question kind of rolled down from the changing table. Now when I think about it, it probably wasn't my fault in the end, but my child's. But I promise you that I will not let Alice roll out of my arms, even how much she is twisting and winding!"

Valkyrie laughed and walked into the house. She walked into the kitchen and soon found everything she needed to make tea for two. While she prepared the tea she heard Skulduggery talk and spoof with Alice. Alice in turn laughed and talked back in her own way. The sounds made her heart once again fill with that love she had felt five days ago when Skulduggery had held Alice for the first time.

Both of them came into the kitchen just as Valkyrie held up the tea in two mugs. She put them down on the table and then sat down. Skulduggery sat down opposite her with Alice in a firm grip and smiled down at his daughter where she talked with him in her special baby language. After having observed them both for a while Valkyrie began to see on Alice that it was time for feeding. Alice got a special expression in her face that Valkyrie quickly had learned to read. It was the same when she needed to change diaper.

"Skulduggery, could I get Alice? She starts to get hungry."

Just as she had said those words Alice started to whine in Skulduggery's arms and turned her gaze towards Valkyrie. Skulduggery handed Alice over and Valkyrie pulled up her shirt before she unbuttoned her breastfeeding bra. Just before she was going to drop it down to give Alice her nipple she stopped and looked at Skulduggery. "Is it okay that I feed her in front of you, by the way? I don't want to embarass you or anything..."

Skulduggery laughed and gave her a meaning gaze. "If you now have forgotten I have seen you naked before, Valkyrie. Furthermore I consider that a women should be able feed her child fully visible without it having to be looked at something sexual, obscene or embarassing. To breastfeed your child is after all a part of the motherhood."

Valkyrie smiled and let the breastfeeding bra fall so Alice could get her food. Alice immediately began to eat and Valkyrie felt that now was a great opportunity to discuss her and Skulduggery's situation. "I've come to a conclusion, Skulduggery. I and Fletcher will not be able to continue be a couple and I'll sit down and talk with him this weekend. I don't know how much of the truth I'll tell him when it comes to us two, since he's going to think it's hard enough to have to separate. When it comes down to the two of us..."

"You do not yet know what you feel for me. I understand completely, Valkyrie. I would lie if I said I don't want to be with you, but I'm not going to force you into something you yourself do not want. The only thing I feel I have the right to demand is that I get an opportunity to be a part of my daughter's life."

"Which you of course will get. I can not deny you time with Alice, I'm not that kind of person. As I feel it right now I would really like to be friends with you to get a chance to get to know you to begin with. Who knows, it may develope into something more further on. What do you think of that?"

"That sounds good." Skulduggery smiled and took her free hand in his and pushed it.

Alice was done with her meal and Valkyrie had to release Skulduggery's hand so she could lay Alice over her shoulder. She hit lightly on her back until Alice burped. "Good girl", Valkyrie said and kissed her on the forehead.

Alice yawned and Skulduggery asked if he could put her to sleep. Valkyrie gave Alice to him and he began to cradle her slowly. Alice did not release her gaze on him and she had a smile in her face the whole time, even when she fell asleep. Skulduggery put her down in the car seat that he had taken with him inside and then laid a blanket over her tiny body so she would not get cold.

"You know, I really start to believe that Alice in some mysterious way knows that you are her real father. The way she talks, smiles and laughs with you... So different to how she is with Fletcher. She is so quiet when he holds her and she gets something distant in her eyes. I don't know, it's hard to explain. You have to see it yourself to understand."

"Alice is a smart little girl. That she has guaranteed got from me." Skulduggery gave her a mischievous smile and Valkyrie laughed.

"In that case she has guaranteed got her stubbornness from me."

"Guaranteed. From what I've heard from others you're a stubborn young woman, no question about it."

"Hm, who's told you that, I wonder?"

"Oh, you know. Rumors circulate in the circles we work in. Considering what a good detective you are, it's not that strange that rumors travel? I've heard it from my boss, my co-workers, criminals and of course Gordon."

"Of course. Sometimes I can't help but wonder if I have to tell anything to you since it feels as if Gordon has already told everything there is to tell."

"Do not worry, Valkyrie. Everything he told me can not compare to what I myself has seen, heard and experienced the few times I've been with you. You're something different, that's for sure."

"Good to know."

The silence lay between them. They looked each other in the eyes and both had a smile on their lips. Their hands met halfways across the table and when their skin touched each other they both could feel that attraction that excisted between them. It went like an electric shock through their bodies and filled them with a feeling of affinity. As if it were intended that it should be the two of them, as if they belonged together and was concatenated by an invisible force that pulled them towards each other.

Skulduggery stood up and without letting go of Valkyrie's hands he took her with him into the living room. He released one of her hands and started the CD-player that stood on the shelf above the TV. Calm music streamed out from the speakers and Skulduggery laid his hand on Valkyrie's hip. Without him having to ask the question Valkyrie nodded and soon they danced a quiet salsa.

They never released their gaze on each other and Valkyrie was surprised by how good Skulduggery was and how easy she followed in his steps. She had never been that good at dancing, but now when Skulduggery was leading her it was as if she had not done anything else. He made her feel attractive, important and loved. Without having to say a single word. Everything could be read in his eyes that looked into hers and she knew that he could see the same thing in her eyes.

"I love you, Valkyrie Cain", Skulduggery said and kissed her.